Eradication of terrorism:
Speedy resettlement of IDPs:
President to tell world on Lanka's success story
by Manjula FERNANDO
President Mahinda Rajapaksa will brief the United Nations on Sri
Lanka’s success story in eliminating terrorism and the country’s
ambitious plans to win its second war - the economic war to make Sri
Lanka the pride of Asia, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman told the
Sunday Observer yesterday.
The
President‘s address to the world community at the 65th UN General
Assembly will be his first after winning the battle against LTTE
terrorism and subsequently receiving a historic people’s mandate for a
second term in office. Former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka
attended the General Assembly last year.
The spokesperson said that the President is expected to elaborate on
Sri Lanka’s difficult battle against one of the most ruthless terrorist
organisations in the world, the LTTE, the ongoing efforts to revive the
North and the East and to rebuild the lives of the internally displaced
people.
Among the focal points of his speech, Palestine issue will be one of
them, he added.
He will also emphasize on the need for the International Community’s
assistance for economic revival and their understanding of the ground
realities of a nation trying to emerge after decades long war.
President
Rajapaksa will arrive in New York on September 20 where he is slated to
address the world community as the 7th speaker on the inaugural day,
Sept. 23.
The UN, during the sessions this year will focus on drumming up
support to sign, ratify or accede to dozens of international treaties
ranging from fighting terrorism, protecting human rights and preserving
biodiversity.
President Rajapaksa will lead a delegation that includes Ministers
Nimal Siripala de Silva, W.D.J. Seneviratne and Douglas Devananda,
President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and Foreign Secretary Romesh
Jayasinghe.
“The delegation also comprises young MPs including some of those who
joined from the Opposition recently since the UNGA has lined up a number
of activities for young Parliamentarians during this year’s sessions,” a
Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
UN has declared this year as the “Year of Youth”.
External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris left for New York on
September 12 to attend the Foreign Ministers’ meeting, ahead of the
General Assembly. The general debate will continue from September 23 to
25 and from 27 to 30.
President Rajapaksa is also scheduled to address the high level
plenary meeting on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the UN
Headquarters. The MDGs range from halving extreme poverty to halting the
spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education by the
target date of 2015 and all member states including Sri Lanka has agreed
upon these goals 10 years ago.
Nearly 140 heads of State and Government, as well as dozens of
representatives from civil society groups, foundations and the private
sector, will convene at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday to begin a
three-day summit during which they will discuss the progress made so far
and how to advance the ambitious targets.
On the sidelines of the UNGA, the President will hold bilateral
meetings with the Iranian President, Thailand PM, Malaysian PM and heads
of state of several other countries.
He has also been invited to a dinner reception hosted by US President
Barack Obama on the inaugural night. |